The Bahujan Samaj Party, which is contesting from 127 seats in the Kerala Assembly elections, is hoping to cash in on dalit struggles for land and dignity in the last five years to find a space for itself in the coalition-driven politics of Kerala.
“In the 2006 Assembly elections, the BSP had contested 104 seats and got about 1.8 per cent vote share which amounted to around 2.5 lakh votes,” said G. Sudevan, state general secretary of the party. “This time, we will improve further.” However, this is not going to be easy. The Communist parties, which occupy the centre-stage of Kerala politics, usually address issues which the BSP hopes to take up.
Furthermore, tribals, Dalits and minorities in the state are also divided along political lines and bringing them together under one umbrella is a doughty task.
“Kerala has a highly polarised two-front political system,” said veteran political analyst B.R.P. Bhaskar. “It will be very difficult for a third force to have any impact as the BJP has found out over the years,” he said.
But the inability of the established left parties to tackle land struggles like Chengara makes the BSP leaders think that it has a fair chance.
Dr Sudevan said the BSP is working with long-term plans. “The Communists have been fooling people for years,” he said. “In Uttar Pradesh, the Mayawati government has given 7.5 lakh acres of land to the poor. Only a party with political will and strong leader can do that.”
“I am not saying that we will rule the state, but we will open an account in the Assembly before long,” he added.